Across cultures and centuries, certain stories arise with distinct similarities, like mutually familiar plots or distinctly heroic characters. The story book explores well-known adventure stories and presents parallels in surprising destinations. Now JustLuxe readers can experience these stories in the present day by finding luxury accommodations conveniently located near the attractions from these tales.
Loch Ness of Laos
The Scottish creature that inhabits the loch (and appears only to a lucky few while shrouded in fog) is a widely known legend, with supposed sightings still reported to this day. Now cryptozoologists reveal similar creatures may not only have once existed, but may still be living and breathing on earth, not yet discovered. Loren Coleman, director of Portland, Maine’s International Cryptozoology Museum, suggests that likely habitats for new species research are locations which have recently undergone political transformation, such as Vietnam and Laos. A Laotian legend is that of the Phaya Naga, said to be the guardian of capital city Vientiane. Naga Balls, or Boong Fai Phaya Nak are firey, glowing orbs which shoot out of the Mekong River usually around the month of October, at which time a holiday and festival take place to celebrate the mythic creature. In 2017, amateur cryptozoologists and fantastic beast hunters can book a stay at the first 5-Star hotel in Vientiane, opening between December 2016 and February 2017. The President Hotel will be directly situated on the Mekong River. A boat, which is available to guests, will make the search for the truth behind the tale a reality.
A Royal Russian Escape
In 1918, the world was stunned by the news that rebel Bolsheviks had murdered the Russian Tzar Nicholas II, his Tzarina Alexandra and the Russian royal family, although they had abdicated the throne. Before long, a legend arose that one young princess, Anastasia, had miraculously escaped the execution and was living in hiding. For some time, women would arise from the woodworks claiming to be the long-lost princess. No claims proved true, but the story lives on in countless forms, from the classic animated movie to an upcoming Broadway musical, set to debut in the spring of 2017.
